Automotive suspension system



y 12, 1953 J. P. BUTTERFIELD ETAL 2,638,356

AUTOMOTIVE SUSPENSION SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed'Aug. 23, 1951 IN V EN TORS.

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4 Sheets-Sheet 2 S BY m IfTOFdlZ/Si J P BUTTERFIELD EI'AL AUTOMOTIVE SUSPENSION SYSTEM May 12, 1953 Flled Aug 23, 1951 y 12, 1953 J. P. BUTTERFIELD ETAL 2,638,356

AUTOMOTIVE SUSPENSION sYs'rEu I Filed Aug. 23, 195i Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .fo'An 75112 215 22? #7 ramvz/s.

Patented May 12, 1953 AUTOMOTIVE Y SUSPENSION SYSTEM John P. Butterfield', Grosse Pointe Park, and Vic- Ridge, Mich., assignors to tor Hughes, Pleasant Chrysler Corporation, corporation of Delaware Highland Park, l\lich., a

Application August 23, 1951, Serial No. 243,334

9 Claims. (Cl. 280-95) This application relates to a steerable (wheel suspension for automotive vehicles, and more particularly to ailink-type independent front s'us pension for a vehicle steered by a'sprung steering mechanism. I

' An object of the present invention is to provide a parallelogram type suspension linkage for a vehicle having a steerable wheel, the suspension 7 not only fully serving the purpose of guiding the wheel and constraining it in its movements, but being of the character in which the joints and links are relatively lightly loaded by the weight ofthe vehicle. In carrying out this object, a strategically I located load. spring means is arranged to take static loadings and Similar loadings substantially directly without the necessity of many of the links and joints lying in the path of the forces transmitted.

Another object is to provide a kingpin-supported parallelogram type of spring suspension linkage of which the supporting kingpin is'disposed lat-all times vertically spaced above the respective links and vertically in line with the associated load spring. The kingpin is thusv rendered a sprung member having the load spring in a Substantially straight mechanical path shield: ing the kingpin from directly-applied road shocks. When a steering linkage is applied so as to be connected to such a sprung kingpin, the steering linkage is in a situation likewise of being sprung, and by reason thereof reflects and manifests a minimum of the effects of abnormal wheel movement of the character commonly referred to as wheel fight. I

According to a featureof the invention, pro:

sion to have asteering linkage applied-thereto so as to be for the most part arranged high in the engine compartment and thus be considerably remote from danger of damage or misalignment due to being struck by loose road material or by jutting road obstructions sometimes encountered by the structure between front suspensions.

According to a. further feature, an independent front suspension for vehiclesis provided which affords better groundclearance in' many regions beneath thevehicle and between :its wheels than is aiforded by other suspensions in common usage. 4 g

Another object of .the invention is-to provide for application toa road vehicle, an independent wheel suspension readily sub-assembled and easily installed on the vehicle during manufacture, and moreover reaclily repaired and serviced .on the vehicle after the vehicle has been placd I in operation.

vision is made in an independent front suspen- A further object of the invention is to provide a relatively light and inexpensive construction for an independent front wheel suspension, the desirable character of which is contributed to by one or more factors already noted including the fact that only strategically located parts in the Suspension and relatively few of the interposed joints are subject to the major loadings of the Suspension in operation.

According to another feature of the invention, a load-spring-supported independent front suspension is provided which readily lends itself to use of a coil type load spring, the manifest smooth performance characteristics and responsiveness of which are well appreciated in existing front wheel suspensions in known applications.

Other features, objects and advantages will either be specifically pointed out or become apparent when for a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1, 2, and 3 are side, top, and front views of a vehicle to which the present invention is applied;

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a side view and a plan View of the front frame members of the vehicle;

Figure 6 iSa section taken on the lines 6-45 of the frame in Figure 4; and

Figures 7 and 8 represent side and front enlarged views of the suspension herein disclosed.

In Figures 1, 2, and 3, an automotive vehicle It! is shown having at its forward part an engine compartment l2 behind which is located a passenger compartment l4. Passenger compartment l4 forms a part of the vehicle body and is provided with a suitable windshield It and side glass I8 on each side of the vehiclebody. A drivers seat 20 is disposed in the passenger compartment between a pair of body sills 22 and is securely mounted to a front floor pan 24. The floor pan 24 is reinforced by a plurality of body cross members including the cross member 26 which extends between the body sills 22 and is firmly secured at its end portions to the respective sills. The body'cross member 28 carries motor mountings at-an intermediate portion thereof which support a clutch housing 21 connected both to the rear of the vehicle power plant and 'toa transmission 28 which is coupled to the power plant. through the clutch in the housing 21.

., The tailshaft' of transmission 28 .is connected to a rearwardly extending propeller shaft 30 by aninterposed universal joint connection. Floor toe board 32 through which a pair of clutch and brake pedals 34 extend into the passenger compartment It. A steering column 36 also extends through the toe board 32 and into the passenger compartment and carries a steering wheel 38 for the operator of the vehicle; At is forward end, the passenger compartment i4 is separated from the engine bompartment I 2 by a dash or dash panel 40 transversely reinforced at 4| and is closed off at its forward sides by cowl side panels Ag es:- tending a short distance along either sidedf the vehiele; The dash 40 and toe board 32- may or may not be formed from the same unitary piece of sheet material depending on the expediencie'sof manufacture.

In disposition slightly to the rearward of and inside the cowl side panels 42 there is disposed a pair of upright body pillars 43; a pair of cowl closing plates 45 is disposed inside of the cowl side panels in a locationjust forwardly of the body illars: Througfhsuitable brackets, not shown, the cowl closing plate 4'5o'n the driversside' of the vehicle supports a foot-operated parking brake 44'. Inthe engine compartment 12 is received a vehicle engine 46 provided with anair cleaner, a radiator core 50, and "a plurality of engine mountings including forward engine mountings 52';

The engine 46 has providedne'ar its sides a pair offender shields, not" shown, serving as dust shieldswhichare connected to the front fenders 54 and passadjacent the inner sides of a stationarypair of longitudinalfront frame members 56" and '58'towhich they are bolted. The frame members 56' and B are of box section and are disposed to either side of engine 46 and are substantially symmetrical with respect to the engine. In the interests of brevity,.only frame-member 56 of the two substantiallysymmetrical frame members will'be described, and will be seen to havea rear portion 60 extending'substantially horizontally and a' downwardlyand'forwardly extending portion 62 angled with respect to horizontal portion "60. Portion 6'2 supports'a' frame front cross member 63 and is formed at its front end to provide a bumper horn 64 which supports a bumper '68 by means'of a "bumper support 66; Rear portion 60 of the longitudinal frame member 56 is disposed, as already noted, in a horizontal position and will be observed to be located generally adjacent the plane ofthe head or top of the vehicle engine46. Frame member portion 60' is joined to the body structure in'a manner which will be hereinafter'set forth in detail and is'formed with a substantial vertically disposed kingpin bearing openingilll; A kingpin 12" is provided which is adapt'ed to be journalled to rotate in bearing opening and has a steering arm or crank arm 14 splined" thereto for use inrotating the kingpin. Crank arm T4 is pivoted'at 16 tonne endof a tie rod 18 which is similarly connected at its opposite end to another crank arm used'to steer'a kingpin 13 provided on'the oppositeside'of the vehicle. Tie rod 18 is disposed-slightly above the longitudinal body members 56-a'nd'58 and is arranged, as shown, to occupya-position above the plane of the top of the vehicle engine-seas to pass non-interferinglythereoverduring steering movement as it moves about the'kingpins which support the crank arms 14. In order to prevent all interference" of the engine with the steering linkage, it is desirable that at least the portions of tie rod 18 in'the vicinity'of the engine.

be above the plane of the top or the head of the engine 46. Tie rod 18 carriesanextension lifl rigid therewith, which is joined by means of a pivot to a drag link 84. Drag link 84 is pivoted at 86 to a pitman 88 which is fast to and rotatable With a rockshaft 90. The rockshaft 90 is driven by the roller of a worm and roller combination, not shown, which are internally located within the casing-of a steering gear :92. The steering gear 92 is controlled by a. steering shaft, not shown, which is rotatable in the steering column 56 and is controlled by the steering wheel 38. Kingpins 12-, T3 support a steerable wheel suspension unit provided for each of a pair of steerable front road wheels 95, 91.

Associated with the suspension unit for each of the steerable wheels 95, 91 is a one-piece antiroll stabilizer 9| having a. central section disposed transversely 6f the vehicle and having a pair of lever-like trailing legs, one of which is indicated as at'93 to be joined thereto and provided at its extremity with two pivots 9 4, 96 disposed in series withthir axesinclinedat 90"? angles with respect to one another'in orderjto afford a universal action between the endof the stabilizer legf93 and oneo'f the respective suspension assembly units for the front wheels 95, 91. 'I'hece'ntra'l section ofanti-roll'stabilizer '91 is 'jour'nalled to rotate in rubber bearings which are secured by brackets 98 to the frame longitudinal members in the vicinity of the frame'horns 64. 7

In Figures 4, 5, land" 6, the boxsectioned frame longitudinal member-'55 is similar in essential respects to box section'edfralne longitudinal mem-' ber 58"and is shown to" be composed of a subs'tantially vertically'dispos'ed side plate-F00 having a companioncha'nnel member I'06"in"asso'cia-' tion therewith. Side plated-Odie provided top andb'ottom with sho'rt-inturned flanges Hi2 and I04 between which the channel member 106 is received for secure'nient to'the vertical plate N10. The channel I 06 has "top' and-bottom legs Hi8, [l0 interconnected by a base'or-web'portion H 2. The aforesaidlegs I 08', H0 are deflected'at-their outer extremities to provide short transversely disposed flanges secured at I ['4 'to"the side plate I00 by soldering or welding. Thus the open end of channel I06 is closed off by't-he relatively deep vertical 'side plate N10.

The opening 'Hlfor-t-he' kingpin bearings, though substantially vertical, will be noted-to extend in a slightly downwards and outwardlydirection. A't-itsrear end the side-plate "[00 provides upper an =-1ower bral'jl zet ortions II 8, 1 20' whichextend alongside of an'd ar'e secured at I2 I to the' cowl side panel 42 by soldering or welding. Legs I08 and H0 srchannei I 06 ares'ecu're'd at -their rear ends by welding I 22=at the top and-the bottom, respectivelygto" da's'h' l0 and to toeboard 32'. The base-or web portion H2 -of channel lilli is securelyweldedat I26 todashflli. The frame front crossmernber 63 is formed orammvertec U- section having depending legs-128', 1'36 interconnec'ted at't-he' top by-a base or web portion I 32.

Legs1l28; r30 are provided-at their lower ends with short transversely disposed fian'ges I3l, to which is welded a closing plate [34*w'hich closes off" the open" side of the U"nie'mber' to form a boxj-likesection. At the'ends of th'eframe cross member 63" the-legs I28", l3ll-of the inverted U- shaped section are flanged and securely welded as at I66; ltti'tothe vertically-disposed side plate 1'00. The-web I32 has aprojeeting'flange mo which laps ov'er' channel I06 along its upper leg Insane is secured thereftoby welding or "solderm qussetsi lfwhich' pass teibw-the-eiosmg plate 134' are "weld'cf'bbth to the "plate having a door 39,

and to channel member I 06 to provide additional stifiness'atthe joint between the frame cross member '63 and the longitudinal frame. member.

mountings 52. Additional rigidity is provided in the body adjacent the juncture of frame member 56 therewith not only by the channel reinforce.- ment M for the dash 40, but also by the cowl side panel 42 and cowl closing plate 45 which can react against the vertically disposed body pillar 43 Figure 6, adapted to be hinged thereto.

Figures 7 and 8, the kingpin 12 received in the kingpin bearing opening 10 of the body'meme ber 56,-is shown to have an upper end I50'protruding from the top side of the latter and splined at I52 to receive the steering crank arm 14. Kingpin 12 and crank arm 14 are thus rendered non-rotatable relativeto one another and are secured together by a threaded nut I54 received by the upper protruding end of kingpin 12. Kingpin 12 is journalled in a pair of tapered rollerbearings, the upper one of which I56, has the outer race thereof held by an eccentric I58 seated at I60, in the structure provided by vertical side member I and channel member I06 of frame member 56. Rotation of eccentric I58 in its own plane provides for the caster andcamber-adjustment of the kingpin 12. The lower bearing I62 of the pair of tapered roller bearings for the kingpin 12 has its outer race mounted ina member I63 corresponding to eccentric I58, but having no adjustment for eccentricity because none is necessary in the lower bearing for purposes of regulatingwheel caster and camber already provided for through adjustment of the upper bearing. I 2

Kingpin 12 has a lower end I64 protruding from the bottom; side of frame member 56 and having secured thereto the horizontally extending rear portion I66 of an arm structure I68. Horizontal arm portion I66 is welded to thelower end I64 of the kingpin and has a seat member I69 welded to thelower side of arm portion 66. Seat member I69 is of circular construction and receives therebelow a depending rubber bumper member I which is substantially vertically alignedwith the lower end I64 of the kingpin. Rubber-bumper I10 is formed with an annular external groove I12 serving as a springseat. Arm structure I68 has a forwardly and downwardly depending link-supporting portion I14 forming anangle with respect to the horizontal rear portion I66. I r

,S ecured to arm-supporting portion I14 is a pair of vertically spaced suspension trailing links I16, I18. The lower one, I18, of the two links is of box section construction and is provided at its secured end with a pair of spaced trunnion bearings I80. Each bearing is threaded into the link I18 and provided with a notched periphery at its outer end for receiving a lock screw I83 which locks the bearing against rotation relative to the I18. Link-supporting portion I14 has a-pin I8I securely affixed thereto at its lowerend, and another pin I82 securely afiixed to an intermediate portion of the link-supporting portion I14. The pin I8I projects from both lateral sides of the supporting portion I14 and provides trunnions which are received in the spaced trunnion bearings I8'I.. Thelateralspan or spacing between bearings- I8I is adequate. to. prevent and overcome any tendency for box-sectioned link I18 to twist about its longitudinalaxis. Pin I82 projects from both lateral sides of link-supporting portion I14 and pivotally. receives the secured end of the upper link I16. Arm structure I68 is disposed in a substantially vertical plane and supports theupper andlower links I16,I18 for vertical oscillation adjacent to and substantially in this plane, Lower link I18 is provided at an intermediate portion with a pin I84 rigidlyaffixed thereto."

Y Betweenthe intermediate portions of lower link I18 and the link-supporting portion I14 of arm structure I68 there is disposed a telescopic double acting shock absorber I86 connected at its respective opposite ends to pin I82 and to pin I84. The shock absorber I86ison the side of the arm. structure I68 opposite to the side occupied by the upper link I16.- .The lower link I18 has at its trailing end a rigid portion receiving a wheel spindle I88 and by means of a through bolt I90 and a confining sleeve-I92 rigidly supports the inner end of the wheel spindle I88 against rotation'relative thereto. The outer end I94 of, the wheel spindle I88 extends into the hub structure of the wheel 95 and has spaced bearings thereon which are retained .in the wheel hub structure to permit rotation'of; the wheel 95. Wheel 95 has a brake backing plate I98 journalled at I96 for limited angular oscillation with respect to the outer spindle end I94. The brake backing plate I98 supports a pair of brake shoes includinga shoe 200 which is mounted for disengageable friction engagement with a brake drum 202 rigidly carried by the wheel 95 for rotation therewith. A brake drum cover 204 extends about the outer periphery of brake drum 202 and is firmly clamped by means of bolts 208 between the brake backing :plate I98 and anangled Spring seat structure 206. Spring seat structure 206 has an upstanding portion 2 I0 disposed vertically and apertured to receive a pin 2I2 which is provided with a pressure grease fitting for lubrication'and pivotally links the upper link I16 to the structure206 The spring seat structure 206 has a substantially horizontally disposed portion 2 I4 to which a bracketZ I6 and a spindle bearing 2I8 are journalled for slight oscillatory movement about the end of, spindle I88. Thus spring seat structure 206 is journalled for slight oscillary rotation with respect to' wheel spindle I88 by means ofvthe two bearings I96 and H8. The joint between the lower link box structure I18 and the bearing 2 I8 is sealed with a dust seal at 220. A grease fitting is provided for lubrication of this joint. A downwardly depending connection bracket for'the anti-roll stabilizer is providedat 222 and is integrally incorporated with the bearing structure H8. The horizontal portion of the angled spring seat structure 206 is provided with an annular silencer on which is seated a coil load spring 223 having an upper end received in the coil springreceiving annulus I12provided by the rubber bumper I10. Rubber bumper I10 is thus disposed within the coil spring 223 and, opposing the rubber bumper I10 and upper end closed by a, dished'disc 226 which engages the rubber bumper I10 during extreme .movementof the wheel suspension.

. The, operation of theconstructions disclosed 'inFigures 1 "through 8 of the drawings issuch 15- is; we: cer n d ct eat and. as:

7. vantagee which will" behest aptreeiate'a follow iiig a consideration dftheuniqiie relationship or the parts of the'dielosed suspension." The axis! of" kingpin" P2 though Substantially vertical, will;

be seen to' b'e sliehtlji offset from the" vertical 5' such 'thatlifliriters'ects the hoflZbntalgrouhdeurface a cross whichwheel' 95 trave1s, within a re'-@ spectable distance of the point oficontactt of Wheel 95"with the" g r'oim'd surface. distance withrl'esigri piactlces 'as"pr'esently accepted rarely exceeds 3 or 3 inches in passenger car for instance: Coil load spring- 223 and spring-bumper H0 are substantia'n'y veij'tioally aligned' in all ver.

Upper" and" lower tl 'ailhig links" I 16', I18 are arranged to" oscillate silbstantiall'y' in the'vertl'cal plane'or the vertically disposed arm structiiie I68 and theverticall'y di'spds'ed'arm structure'swihgs with the kingpinlZ about "the aXis ofth'e latter' 20'" and" non-:interferingly a'b'out the adjacent" orticns 60; 62 of the" frame longitudihaIiSG.

The ground ractidntothe weight of the'vehicle is transrnitted by the wheel suspension substan tially vertically to'th'e frameloiigitudina1s"ahd 25 follows the patHfrOm" the Wheel spindle I88 throughthe'coil spfingttfahd/or the lilbb'l bumper assembly I 10; 226 directly into the lower end (an: theikingpii'i "12; wh n the'eu's'p'e'nsion ui'ilba'dedfstatii's 'aiid seijv irigpifimarily as guide or thewhee V motion. Under these circomg sta fic'esfthe" Y H I al/ 13 10 Q im a d qt of dy ixam'ic' loadings; the road shocks then present adhe d o dir' li e' u h he i e: iazn i bein t n n t jth -i spt' ngfzt The ine in h n. y sm'imelm ber p ne'b o i e s pe on Mere: the xi i ec y, eenli l ad i eifi ,1; i u e ted vas: c n ested ,{o manifests itself Whether the "suspens on is 'of the ind'epenclexit tYfiQQK otherwise. This ahiiormal movement is commohly referred to as wheel fight aridfis particularly objectionable when, preserit in the steer g""whee l"s as the sameis refieetedirl Iiism. Neither the stee'rihg f king 13, 12 nor the 'tie "rod 18 unmet-me gear mechariigr'ir cal movement of j'os'ci-lla bli wit the'w e ls st'eeririg'wheek doe effectagf wh off ceitaih hid h qn. e? the wheel eu'spnsiomsy s: not mani ffitheextreme "whi is so haracterigtic I faiidother' type wheel lis-l ms esteemedMurine g strmur' its iii one frofit' siiaia'ension' aria its" counterpart ontlie opposite side of the v'ehicle', may be ofrelatively light construction o'wiii 'f to the fact that the joints and members'are not 50' extremely loaded aswith other common vehiclesu'sperisionsj hence an economical and rela}: tively simple and light ccilstructioh'can'res ult.

As' herein' disclosed, the invention is" shown efrlhol'ied in a steerable wheel suspensi'o'ri'ar r arigement f'o'rlan independent front su's iensliori. It is evident that the Dresei'it' wheel suspension willbe" equally eifective in suspension arzfah' mentsof' other types an'cl'that the" steerable'siispensioh'lcah'be equally well mouhteaiahp'ropie ately'at there'ai-"of certain other vehiclee." So

also the drawing Shows the e in mechan sm to be purely mechanically o'pemtea;'tut"self evidently there could be provided'a powei'as'sls't;

mechanism for the steering gear w'hich'iikelthe presently disclosed" mechanical steeriiig' jmechaj niem would occupy the-statue of a; sprung mem'f her on the vehicle. The king pinbearihg's'are sh'owh to provide for castei and' camber adjust-'- ment through an eccentricity mountihgprovidedl for the upp'er tapered bearing"but,'jihcieed,it not essentialto the" invehtiofithat the upio'er bearing be the one'eccehtrically mouiited'and' coriceivably the lower beating couidmstead be" eccentrical'ly mounted or broadly, even the coilibihation of" bearings or else both "bearings could be eccer itl-ically mounted;

Variations Withinthe spirit ah'd'scopeofth invention described "are equally comp'rhfided by the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:

1 In an automotive vehicle having-an engine compartment at the foi-vv'ard pa-rt of thvehi'l' and a propulsion engine mounted there-iii; a pair of epaced longitudinal vehicle frame 'membens disposed at the respective sides' 'of the eiigin compartment and having relatively horizontal rear portionsandgenerally forwardly ahdflbwn: wardly exter idihg portions formihgah' angle with the frear portions; said forwardly ahd' aawnwardiy extending ortions" having a frame fr oii-t orbs?) J m'ember su-pportedly connected therebetweenfor tiohs being" disposed generally adjacent the-plane of 'the top ofthe vehicle engine and each 'havihg' supporting engine mountings arid said: 'rearporsubstantially vertical-1y "aligned kihgpih bearings for each longitudinal frame'm'ember comprising; a kmg'pin journalle'd to: rotate the ingpinbearings oi the rramemember ahcl' haviih'g top therein; a steera "le wheel susp'erisich a s'e mhl'ji arm structure disposed substantiall3; irf'a-vertical plar'ie' arid'secured to 'thebc'tto m 'enqfof the kingpin, said arm structure having a horizontal" portion ahd'a forwardly "and dowhwa' jdly them ing link-supp6r'tiiig" portion" forming an angle with respect to the horiz'oriiial portion and dis posed 'uridjetneath the" frahie'im ember such as when caused-to turn about the axis' of; thefkinepin to pass 'non-iriterferingly aboutflthe forwardly and dovvnvvardly-extending portio' j off the frame memb'er'j vertieally spacecl'trailing links"pivoted to the line-su p rtin portion oftlie, arm struck ture'so'as to trail from aneswingin the' said vettical' plane of the ;same; an' angled spririe "seat structure having means iricluclingfa Wlieel coIi nested 1 member providing "articulated; comet; tionsi'betweeri po'rt'ion' or theefiri'rig'fseat strut, tur' 'e anc'l the trailing end-of 'mhcrthe'respe'c'; il? fi e l n" in .911" iir i mea co" nebte'dbetween ane'en'gagingtne afielectsrifln' seat structure and the horizontalportion of the arm structure, and a steering tie rod extending laterally of the engine compartment and having crank arm means connecting the lateral end portions thereof to the top ends of the respective kingpins for the steerable wheel suspension assemblies so as to be disposed for steering movement above the plane of the top of the vehicl engine in the vicinity of the latter.

2. In an automotive vehicle having an engine compartment at the forward part of the vehicle and a propulsion engine mounted therein, a pair ,of spacedapart stationary members disposed at the respective sides of the engine compartment and having horizontal portions disposed generally adjacent the plane of the top of the vehicle engine and each having substantially vertically aligned kingpin bearings therein, a steerable wheel suspension assembly for each said stationary member comprising a kingpin journalled to rotate in the kingpin bearings of the stationary member and having top and'bottom ends protruding from the same, an arm structure disposed substantially in a vertical plane and secured to the bottom end of the kingpin, said arm structure having a horizontal portion and a forwardly and downwardly extending link-supporting portion forming an angle with respect to the horizontal portion and disposed underneath the corresponding stationary member such as when caused to rotate with respect thereto about the axis of the kingpin to pass non-interferingly below the stationary member, vertically spaced trailing links, means pivotally connecting the forward end of the lower of said links to the forwardly and downwardly extending end portion of the arm structure for swinging movement in the plane of the latter, a wheel spindle affixed to the trailing end of the lower link, angled spring seat structure, a telescopic shock absorber pivotally connected at the opposite ends thereof to respectiveintermediate portions of the arm structure and lower link, means pivotally connecting the forward end of the upper link to the arm structure at the point of attachment of the shock absorber to the intermediate portion of the arm structure, means including the wheel spindle providing articulated connections between portions of the angled spring seat structure and the trailing ends of the respective trailing links, coil spring means connected between and engaging the angled spring'seat structure and the horizontal portion of the arm structure, and rubber bumper means disposed within the coil spring means and connected to one of the just-named two said structures so as to be engageable with means-on the other said structure during extreme movement of approach'of the two said structures relative to one another, said coil spring means and said rubber bumper means being'sub stantially vertically aligned with the bottom end of said kingpin but extending in a direction opposite thereto relative to the respective top and bottom sides of the horizontal portion of the arm structure, and a steering tie rod extending laterally of-the engine compartment and having crank arm means connecting the respective end portions thereof to the top ends of the kingpins of the respectivesteerable wheel suspension assemblies such that the tie rod is disposed for steering movement above the'plane of the top of the vehicle engine in the vicinity of the latter.

3. In an automotive vehicle-having an engine compartment'at the forward part of the vehicle and a pr p s on eng n mo ted there n, a p

"10 of spaced longitudinal vehicle frame members disposedat the respective sides of the engine compartment and having relatively horizontal rear portions and generally forwardly and dOwnward- 1y extending portions forming an angle with the rear portions, said forwardly and downwardly extending portions having a frame front cross member supportedly connected therebetween for supporting engine mountings and said rear portions being disp'ose'dgenerally adjacent the plane of the top of the vehicle engine and each having substantially vertically aligned kingpin bearing means therein, a steerable wheel suspension assembly for each longitudinal frame member comprising a kin pin journalled to rotate in the kingpin bearing means of the frame member and having top and bottom ends protruding from the same, an arm structure disposed substantially in a vertical plane and secured to the bottom end of the kingpin, said arm structure having a horizontal portion and a forwardly and downwardly extending link supporting portion forming an angle with respect to the horizontal portion and disposed underneath the frame member such as when caused to turn about the axis of the kingpin to passnon-interferingly about the forwardly and downwardly extending portions' of the frame member; vertically spaced trailing links'pivoted to the link-suporting portion of the arm structure so as to trail from and swing in the said vertical plane of the same, an angled spring seat structure having means including a wheel-connected member providing articulated connections between portions of the spring seat structureand the trailing end of each of the respective trailing'links, and coil spring means connected between and engaging the angled spring seat structure and the horizontal portion of the arm structure.

4. In' an automotive vehicle having an engine compartment at the forward part of the vehicle and a propulsion engine mounted therein, a pair of spaced longitudinal vehicle frame members disposed at the respective sides of the engine compartment and having relatively horizontal rear portions and generally forwardly and downwardly extending portions forming an angle with the rear portions, said forwardly and downwardly extending portions having a frame front cross member supportedly connected therebetween for supporting engine mountings'and said rear portions being disposed generally adjacent the plane of the top of the vehicle engine and each having substantially vertically aligned kingpin bearings therein, a steerable wheel suspen sion assembly for each longitudinal frame member comprising akingpin journalled to rotate in the kingpin bearings of the frame member and having top and bottom ends protruding from the same, an arm structure disposed substantially in a vertical'plane and secured to the bottom end of the kingpin, said arm structure having a horizontal portion and a forwardly and downwardly extending linksupportingportion forming an angle with respect to the horizontalportion and disposed underneath the frame member such as when caused to turn about the'axis of the kingpin to pass non-interferingly about the forwardly and downwardly extending portions of the frame member; ver-tically'spaced trailing links pivoted to the link-supporting portion of the arm structure soas to trail from and swing in the said vertical plane of the same, an angledspring seat structure having means includingfla' wheel-connected member providing articulated connections between, portions of the spring seat structure and the trailing end of each of 'the respective trailing links, and coil spring means connected between and engaging the angled spring seat structureand the horizontal portion of the arm structure, and rubber bumper means disposed within the coil spring means and connected to one of the just-named two said structures so as to be engageable with means on the othersaid structure-during extreme movement of approach of the two said structures relative to one another.

r 5. In an automotive-vehicle having an engine compartment at the forward part of the vehicle and a propulsion engine mounted therein, a pair of spaced apart stationary members disposed at the respective sides of the engine compartment and having horizontalportions disposed-generally adjacent the plane of thetop of the vehicle engine and each havingsubstantially vertically aligned kingpin'bearings thereima steerable wheel suspension assembly for each said stationary member comprising a kingpin journaliedto rotate in the kingpin bearings-"of the stationary member and. having top. and-bottom, ends protruding from the same, an-arm structure; disposed substantially in avertical plane and secured to the bottom end of the kingpin, said arm structure having a horizontal portion and a forwardly and downwardly extending link-supporting portion forming an angle with respect to th horizontal portion and disposed underneath the corresponding stationary member such-as when-caused to rotate with respect thereto about the axis o; the kingpin to pass non-interferingly below the stationary member, vertically spaced trailing links, means pivotally connecting the. forward end of the lower of said-links to the forwardly and downwardly extending end portion oi the arm structure for swinging movement in the plane ofthe. latter, a wheel spindle affixed? to the trailing end of the lower link, angled spring seatstructure, a telescopic shock absorber pivotally connected at-the oppositeends thereof; to respective intermediate portions of the arm structure and lower link, means pivotally connecting the forward end of the upper link to the-arm-structur at=the point of attachment ot the shock'absorber to the intermediate portion of the arm structure; means includin the wheel spindle providing articulated connections between portions of the angled spring seat structure and the trailing -ends-of the re spective trailing links, coil spring means connected between and-engaging the angled spring seat structure-and-the horizontal} portion of the arm structure, and-rubber-bumper-means disposed within the-coil spring means and-connected to the horizontalportion of thearm structure so to be engageable: withmeans onthesaid angled sprin seat -structure- -duringextreme movement of approach ofrthe-twozsaid: structures relative to one another,- said coil spring means and said rubber-bumper means being-substantially vertically-aligned'with the bottom-end of, said kingpin but extendingin a-direction opposite thereto relative totherespective--top--and--bottom sides of the horizontal portion of the arm struc ture, and a steeringtierod extending laterallypf the engine compartment andyhaving crank arm means connecting the respective end portions thereof to the top ends of -the- Kingpins of the respective steerable wheel suspension assemblies such that the tie rod is disposed for steering movement above the plane of =-the top of; the vehicle engine. 1

6 ;In an automotive vehicle having an engine im e a h qrwa d par o t e veh cl d p ls bn n ne moun e herein a P of spaced longitudinal vehicle frame members disposed at the respective sides of the engine compartment and having relatively horizontal rear portions and generally forwardly and downwardly end portions forming an angle with respect to the rear portions, said forwardly and downwardly extending end portions having a frame front cross member supportedly connected therebetwe'en for supporting engine mountings and said rear portions being disposed generally adjacent the plane of the top of the vehicle engine and each having substantially vertically aligned kingpin bearings therein, a steerable Wheel suspension assembly for each longitudinal frame member comprising a kingpin journalled to rotate in the kingpin bearings of the frame member and having top. and bottom ends protruding from the tt an rm str cture dis ose Substantially a ve tic lane and secure to the bo tom end of the'kingpin, said arm structure having a hori- Zqntal ort on and 3 rwar 1 a Q -l ext di nku n Portion farm n a angle with respect to the horizontal portion and spd sd UPQQTPfifithLWfi i ame member 33 that when caused to turn with respect to the frame member about the axis of the kingpin to pass noninterferingly about the forwardly and downwardly extending portion of the frame member, Vert c y s aced tr in inks m a s inc udin spaced earings and a h rizontal runn n i rr nalled therein for pivotally connecting the forward end of the lower of said links to the forwar ly nd downwardly ex endin 19 p rt o f the arm structure for swinging movement in the plane of the latter, a wheel spindle affixed to e tr in nd i the lower ink a te esc ho b qrb r rivqtallv arrested t the Q' site ends'thereof to respective intermediate portions of the arm structure and lower link, means pivotally' connecting the forward end oi the upper link to the ar'rn structure' at the location of the point of attachment of the shock absorber to the i 'i rm' i portiqe 9f he are tru t ra an e spring seat structure, means including the wheel S indle DrQYidingarticulated connections between portions of theangle'd spring seatstructure and th trailing endsv of the respective trailing links, a one-piece stabilizer bar of a general bow shape between'its endportions and extendin transversely of 'the vehic1e,'sai d stabilizerbar having amid portion mounted. upon 'andjournalled to t t e t 'to' he forw r a d rm wardly entendihg'end portions of thelongitudinal frame members; and havin the end portions thereof respectively connected for movement with the angled spring" seat structure of each steerable e sus' hsi e asse b v' o pr n means connected between and engaging the angled spring seat structure and the horizontal portion ofv the arm structure, and rubber bumper means disposed within the "coil sprin'g'means and connected, to one of the just-namedtwo said structures so as to be engageable with means on the other said structure during extreme-movement of approach of, the two said structures relative to one a o her, a d c i r n me ns n i ber bumper means being substantially vertically a n d wi h the bo tom end f. s i ki in bu ext nding in a direction opposite thereto relative o h e e tive t a d bo tom sid s f h horizontal portion of the arm structure.

7.-In an automotivev vehicle having an engine compartment at the forward part of: the vehicle i913 and a propulsion engine mounted therein; a pair of spaced longitudinal vehicle frame members disposed at the respective sides of the engine compartment and having-relatively horizontal rear portions and generally forwardly and downwardly end portions forming anangle with respect to the rear portions, saidforw'ardly' and downwardly extending end 1 portions having a frame front cross member supportedly connected therebetween for supporting engine mountings and said rear portions being disposed generally adjacent the plane of the top of the vehicle engine and each having substantially vertically aligned kingpin bearings therein, a steerable wheel suspension assembly for. each longitudinal frame member comprisinga, kingpin journalled to rotate in the kingpin bearings of the frame member and having top and bottom ends protruding from the latter, an arm structure disposed substantially in a vertical plane and secured to the bottom end of the kingpin, said arm structure having ahorizontal portion and a forwardly and downwardly extending link-supporting portion forming an angle with respect to the horizontal portion and disposed underneath the frame member such that when caused to turn with respect to the frame member about the axis of the kingpin to pass non-interferingly about the forwardly and downwardly extending portion of the frame member, vertically spaced trailing links, means pivotally connecting the forward end of the lower of saidlinks to the forwardly and downwardly extending end portion of the arm structure for swinging movement in the plane of the latter, a wheel spindle aifixed to the trailing end of the lower link, means pivotally connecting the forward end of the upper link to an intermediate portion of the arm structure, angled spring seat structure, means including the wheel spindle providing articulated connections between portions of the angled spring seat structure and the trailing ends of the respective trailing links, coil spring means connected between and engaging the angled spring seat structure and the horizontal portion of the arm structure, and rubber bumper means disposed within the coil spring means and connected to the horizontal portion of the arm structure so as to be engageable with means on the said angled spring seat structure during extreme movement of approach of the two said structures relativeto one another, said coil spring means and said rubber bumper means being substantially vertically aligned with the bottom end of said kingpin but extending in a direction opposite thereto relative to the respective top and bottom sides of the horizontal portion of the arm structure, and a steering tie rod extending laterally of the engine compartment and having crank arm means connecting the respective end portions thereof to the top ends of the kingpins of the respective steerable wheel suspension assemblies such that the tie rod is disposed for steering movement above the plane of the top of the vehicle engine at least in the vicinity of the latter.

8. In an automotive vehicle suspension having an engine compartment at the forward part of the vehicle and a propulsion engine mounted therein, a pair of spaced longitudinal vehicle frame members disposed at the respective sides of the engine compartment and having relatively horizontal rear portions and generally forwardly and downwardly extending portions forming an angle with the rear portions, said forwardly and downwardly extending portions having a frame front cross member supportedly connected therebetween for supporting v engine mountings, and said rear portions being disposed generally adjacent the plane of the toplof the vehicle-engine,

and each having a substantially vertical bearing opening-provided with vertically spaced kingpin bearings mounted therein, said kingpin bearings including -a lower bearing member havinga'race thereof concentrically mounted with respect to the bearing opening in the longitudinal frame :member,,and an upper bearing eccentrically mounted and adjustable in its .ownplane so as to be eccentrically adjustable with respect to the bearing opening in the longitudinal frame-member, a steerable wheel suspensionassembly for each longitudinal frame member comprising, a kingpin, said-kingpin being journalled in said kingpin bearings for relative rotation with respect to said bearing opening and being eccentrically adjustable in said upper kingpin bearing with respect to the bearing opening in the frame member so as to provide for caster and camber adjustment for the wheel suspension assembly, said kingpin having top and bottom ends protruding from the respective bearings and from the top and bottom sides of the vehicle frame member, an arm structure disposed substantially in a vertical plane and secured to the bottom end of the kingpin, said arm structure having a horizontal portion and a forwardly and downwardly extending link-supporting portion forming an angle with respect to the horizontal portion and disposed underneath the frame member such as when caused to turn about the adjustable axis of the kingpin to pass non-interferingly about the forwardly and downwardly extending portions of the frame member, vertically spaced trailing links pivoted to the link-supporting portion of the arm structure so as to trail from and swing substantially in the said vertical plane of the arm structure, an angled spring seat structure having means including a wheelconnected member providing articulated connections between portions of the spring seat structure and the trailing end of each of the respective trailing links, and coil spring means connected between and engaging the angled spring seat structure and the horizontal portion of the arm structure,

9. In an automotive vehicle having an engine compartment at the forward part of the vehicle and a propulsion engine mounted therein, a pair of spaced apart stationary members disposed at the respective sides of the engine compartment and having relatively horizontal portions disposed generally adjacent the plane of the top of the vehicle engine and each being provided with vertically spaced kingpin bearings which are axially aligned along a generally up and down axis which forms a slight angle to the vertical, a steerable Wheel suspension assembly for each said stationary member comprising a kingpin disposed in the kingpin bearings of the stationary member, said kingpin having top and bottom ends protruding from the horizontal portion'to the stationarymember and being journalled in said bearings such that the axis of said kingpin is coincident with said generally up and down bearing axis; an arm structure disposed substantially in a vertical plane and secured to the bottom end of the kingpin, said arm structure having a horizontal portion and a forwardly and downwardly extending link-supporting portion forming an angle with respect to the horizontal portion and disposed underneath the horizontal portion of 1 8 the: stationaru -mgmnerbuinzntmnamemith .t'he kingpimabdutzthe'axigqfther lattemz Vatican-y spaced'ltrai-lmg links: piirotegt tmthez-linbsnpport mg: pontion v13f the armstmmtme am aswt'o trail 1mm and? .swing $ubstz'ntially maths said vertieal plane bfi thesame; an angled spring seatstrumtuner having? means including.- a wheel-connected member. vproviding: articulated: connections 1) tween porpitms' of: the spring gait structure app; thet ra'ilingend t each of the-respective trgiiing links, coilspring means cpnnected between and engaging; the angled spring' seart' structure and the hrizbntazl; poptibp of 't'h arm smegma; and" rubbllerbpmper means-disposqgi w ifliin yhe-coil spring means findconnected to one? of fihg twd iusfin amd strgctug'es so as to be; epgageazbl'g wjtl) WWW 31 th r SW .st 'u mre (lu n wreme numpev he saidtwfl Structures JOHN P. VISTGR" GHES.

mmw M1 ha-fi o th patent STATES PATENTS Nflm Date Bi -?v--.-v-- May 2.2, 193$ EQREIGN BATENTS 

